Have you ever had so many treat ideas that you could barely decide upon just one? This is exactly what happened to me this year when I was wondering what to make for Easter. After taking a look at my Easter recipe index containing cakes, cookies, bars, savory casseroles, etc, etc, I finally realized that what was missing was a bread recipe. After a long process of elimination, I finally narrowed it down to either a Portuguese Easter bread (Folar de Páscoa) or a Polish Easter Egg Braid (Paska). Did I make one of them? Well, an easy and delish Easter Chocolate Braid is the answer to the question. 🙂
How did we end up with this treat for the Easter table? Since 1) chocolate treats -- and above all, chocolate eggs -- are what we customarily have for Easter in Brazil, and 2) a bread is what our recipe index needed initially, I had to look to our settler and immigrant's table traditions (respectively the Portuguese and the Polish) in order to find a great fit for our recipe box. But of course, my laziness towards making breads and tight schedule threw a monkey wrench into everything... However, thankfully this video from Tasty Meals gave me the lightbulb that I was searching for in order to put all my ideas together.
Adapting that video recipe, we came up with an easy and quick braid that resembles both the Portuguese and Polish breads but incorporates lots of chocolate -- including chocolate Easter eggs -- in order to keep my Brazilian tradition intact. I didn't have to slave in the kitchen, and yet was able to keep all the flavors, looks, and traditions. 😉
The key shortcut came from using store-bought puffy pastry, which was filled with a semisweet chocolate bar, brushed with an egg wash, and then garnished with a drizzle of chocolate ganache and Cadbury chocolate mini eggs -- a real favorite of mine.
Of course, technically speaking our Easter chocolate braid is not a bread, but a pastry that resembles a bread. 😉 For this particular hater of breadmaking, it really did the trick! I have no complaints... neither do my children or husband, who happily devoured our Easter treat.
If you are looking for a treat that is both delicious and quite quick to make for your Easter table, this is it, folks!
All that I can say is, there will be no regrets.
Enjoy and have a very HAPPY EASTER!
Easter Chocolate Braid
Ingredients
- 1 sheet of puff pastry thawed according to the directions of the package
- 1 dark or semisweet chocolate bar 4.25 oz
- 1 teaspoon large egg lightly beaten with 1of water
- ⅓ cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- Cadbury milk chocolate mini eggs with a crisp sugar shell
Instructions
- Lay out one sheet of thawed puff pastry on a sheet of parchment paper or a lightly floured surface. Place one chocolate bar in the center of the puff pastry sheet, and cut diagonal lines into the pastry sheet along the left and right sides of the chocolate bar (about an inch between each line). Then remove the corner pieces of pastry.
- Starting from the top, fold down one of the top diagonal flaps across the chocolate bar, and then alternate folding down the remaining flaps right and left until you are close to the bottom. Fold the bottom flap up and then finish folding down the last remaining flaps alternately right and left. If necessary, tuck any extra puff pastry underneath.
- Place the braided puff pastry on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush with egg wash. NOTE: Please, do not garnish with the chocolate eggs at this point.
- Bake at 415°F (213°C) for about 16-20 minutes or until chocolate has melted and puff pastry is golden brown.
- Remove tray from the oven and let sit on a rack while preparing the chocolate ganache. Place chocolate chips and heavy cream into a small bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals just until chocolate has melted. Stir well to obtain a smooth mixture. Using a fork, drizzle braid with the chocolate ganache. Decorate with the chocolate eggs and let set. Enjoy!
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Raymund says
Wow a block of chocolate in that pastry, I am in. Even non kids would love them
Denise Browning says
My children and husband were as happy as you can imagine... Hehe.
Chris Scheuer says
I think all my chocolate dreams have come true! 🙂
Deb|EastofEdenCooking says
Such a spectacular Easter bread! The photo tutorial is wonderful. My family insists on homemade cinnamon rolls, but once I serve this beauty they will change their minds!
Denise Browning says
Oh, thank you, Deb! I' love to try your homemade cinnamon rolls.
Amira says
Wow, great minds like alike hehehe, I was just trying to convince myself to try this super easy recipe and I was skeptical, now you've assured me that this is a no fail recipe that pleases everyone :). Pinned and FB. I'll try to post it everywhere.. this is the kind of recipes that should go viral my dear <3.
John/Kitchen Riffs says
Wow, look at all the flavor you packed into this recipe! Would love this -- looks terrific, and tastes much, much better I'll wager. Really good -- thanks.
Sugar et al. says
Super creative and super delicious! This is a stunner. I love EVERYTHING about this chocolate braid!
Anne@ASaladForAllSeasons says
Denise....this looks luscious! I'd give up all the candy in my Easter basket for a slice of this!
Abbe @ This is How I Cook says
Drooling, Denise! Now I have a reason to buy those eggs I love so much!
Denise Browning says
Enjoy, Abbe! I love Cadbury eggs so much that every year I will await them with excitement and buy several bags to continue eating them long after Easter. 🙂
Adina says
Wow, I think my kids would go nuts if I made this, so much chocolate! It looks gorgeous!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Adina!
Kate says
Holy Moly!! This looks amazing! I think I'll need to test the recipe this weekend to make sure it works (wink, wink) 🙂
Liz says
I love the Brazilian tradition of a chocolate Easter treat! My family would definitely love your decadent braid!!
Denise Browning says
So glad to see you here, dear Liz. Enjoy! Wishing you a very happy Easter!
Agness says
Oh my God! With such a recipe I can't wait to experience Easter this year! Looks absolutely yummy 🙂 Would it taste good with some hot chocolate?